Venezuelan archbishop tells Chavez to “fix problems at home” first

Caracas, Venezuela, Aug 29, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Archbishop Roberto Luckert of Coro, Venezuela, called on President Hugo Chavez this week to worry first about running his own country and “fixing the problems at home” before trying to solve the problems of other nations, whether through the purchasing of external debt or the sale of oil at lower prices.
“Why does the government insist on sending money to other nations when it doesn’t fix its own problems at home? Fix the problems at home, fix Venezuela, start running your own country,” the archbishop said during a local radio program.

He noted that while it is laudable that Venezuela support other nations in Latin America that are poorer, within Venezuela there are many needs that must be met, such as providing water and electricity to poor areas. “Please, fix your own home first and then you can help your neighbor fix his,” the archbishop said.

Archbishop Luckert criticized the Chavez government for not being able to address basic needs in the country, such as proper health care equipment for hospitals and clinics.

The archbishop also questioned the shipment of oil to the Castro regime in Cuba, as reports from those who have visited the country indicate the gasoline supply in the country is extremely low.